Nomad China eSIM Review (Updated Nov 2026): Shanghai Tests, Prices & Real Speeds
Nomad China eSIM tested in Shanghai: plans from $5, 5G speeds up to 68 Mbps, and WhatsApp, Google Maps and ChatGPT working without a VPN.
Published 2026-11-02 Updated 2026-11-08
I tested Nomad's China eSIM on my iPhone in Shanghai, at Hongqiao Airport and in a hotel. Downloads ranged from 15.5 to 68.2 Mbps on 4G/5G — enough for maps, messaging, browsing and video streaming, though large uploads were slower in the hotel. WhatsApp, Google Maps and ChatGPT opened without a VPN; TikTok and Microsoft Copilot did not. China plans start at $5, with fixed-data and Unlimited options. Below are my real-world test results, plan prices and who should buy it — and who shouldn't.
App access — tested without a VPN
Tested Shanghai · 2026-11-02| Apps | Result | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Google · Instagram | WORKS | |
| Google Maps | WORKS | |
| TikTok | BLOCKED | |
| WhatsApp · Facebook | WORKS | |
| AI assistants (ChatGPT · Claude · Gemini · Grok) | WORKS | Microsoft Copilot blocked |
Apps were tested on cellular data in China without a separate VPN. Results are shown above.
Need an app that's not on this list? I'm in China right now — email me and I'll test it.
Speed tests on location
| Location | Network | Down | Up | Ping | Hotspot | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai Hongqiao Airport | 5G | 68.2 Mbps | 38.4 Mbps | 95 ms | Connected but very slow | 2026-08-14 |
| Shanghai Hotel | 4G | 15.5 Mbps | 1.18 Mbps | 122 ms | Connected but very slow | 2026-11-02 |
After high-speed data runs out: Unlimited plans give you 2GB a day at full speed, then slow down until your next 24-hour cycle: to about 1 Mbps according to Nomad's help center, or 512 kbps according to its fair usage policy. That's enough for maps and messages, but not for video. Fixed-data plans have no slow lane: data stops when the allowance runs out, and Nomad can't add data to an eSIM that has run out, so top up before you hit zero.
Data exit: Hong Kong
Method: Ookla Speedtest, three runs per spot, median reported. VPN off, no background downloads. View all speed tests →
Plans and pricing
Nomad offers eSIM plans for mainland China, as well as Greater China plans covering mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan.
For mainland China, you can choose between unlimited and fixed-data plans. The prices below are for mainland China plans only.
Which Nomad plan fits your trip?
Choose your trip length and typical data use. We compare plans by total price.
Estimated data need: 16.8GB(including 20% buffer)
Covers your trip length and estimated data needs.
Data needs are estimated from your selected usage level plus a 20% buffer. Confirm prices and fair-use restrictions at checkout.
Nomad’s free 1GB / 3-day app trial is for new users; redeeming it rules out new-user promo codes.
Nomad Mainland China Plans and Prices
Unlimited plans
| Validity | Price |
|---|---|
| 3days | $12.00 |
| 5days | $18.00 |
| 7days | $25.00 |
| 10days | $33.00 |
| 15days | $39.00 |
2 GB/day at full speed, then reduced speed until the next daily cycle.
Fixed-data plans
| Data | Validity | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 1GB | 7days | $5.00 |
| 3GB | 30days | $10.00 |
| 5GB | 30days | $14.00 |
| 10GB | 30days | $19.00 |
| 20GB | 30days | $22.00 |
| 50GB | 45days | $37.00 |
Before buying: Fixed-data plans stop when the allowance runs out, so top up before hitting zero. Eligible 20 GB+ fixed-data and 10+ day Unlimited plans may earn 200 Nomad Points ($2) after natural expiry, subject to terms.
The 10 GB and 20 GB prices were on sale when checked on 8 November 2026; confirm the current checkout total. For trips longer than Nomad’s 15-day Unlimited maximum, compare Yesim’s 30-day Unlimited pass.
Visiting Hong Kong, Macau or Taiwan too?
Nomad also offers a Greater China plan covering mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, and a China–Japan–South Korea plan.
See my mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan eSIM comparison to compare regional plans.
Using it day to day
Tested on an iPhone 12 mini on 14 August 2026 and 2 November 2026.
Across two tests at Shanghai Hongqiao Airport and a Shanghai hotel, Nomad delivered download speeds of 15.5–68.2 Mbps on 4G/5G. Even at the lower end, it was fast enough for everyday tasks like messaging, Google Maps, web browsing and video streaming, although uploading large files could be slow.
Fast.com also recorded about 70 Mbps down at the airport, and showed the connection exiting through Hong Kong:
Because my data came out in Hong Kong, Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook and ChatGPT all loaded without a VPN. TikTok and Microsoft Copilot didn’t, so if you rely on either, you’ll still need a VPN (here’s what they cost).
The hotspot connected, but it was very slow — only good enough for browsing web pages on the second device.
Buying and activation
- Open Nomad’s website or the Nomad app, search for China, and choose an unlimited or fixed-data plan. Buy it before you fly: Nomad won’t sell you a new plan once you’re in mainland China.
- Install the eSIM at home, on Wi-Fi: in the Nomad app, open your eSIM and follow the install prompts, or scan the QR code from your confirmation email. Installing doesn’t activate the plan, so its days haven’t started yet.
- When you land in China, turn on the Nomad line, set it as your mobile data line and turn on data roaming. The plan activates when it connects to a local network, and its days start then. If you never use it, it activates by itself 60 days after purchase.
Refunds: Request a refund within 30 days of purchase. Unused or unactivated fixed-data plans may qualify for a full refund; contact Nomad support to confirm. Unlimited plans have separate refund terms in each plan’s details. Plans bought with a discount code are non-refundable once installed or activated.
Who should buy it
Buy it if you:
- Expect medium data use — 20 GB for 30 days costs $22 on sale, just $3 more than 10 GB for twice the allowance.
- Use a lot of data — 50 GB for 45 days works out to $0.74 per GB.
- Want Google Maps, WhatsApp, Instagram and ChatGPT to work without setting up a VPN.
- Are also visiting Hong Kong, Macau or Taiwan — the Greater China plan covers all four on one eSIM.
- Are visiting China, Japan and South Korea — the China–Japan–South Korea plan covers all three.
Nomad eSIM alternatives for China
If one of these sounds like you, pick another eSIM:
| If you… | Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Use TikTok | Trip.com or Yesim | TikTok didn’t load on Nomad in my tests, but it opened on both of these (see my Trip.com and Yesim reviews). |
| Are on a short trip with light use | Trip.com | Its China eSIM starts at $0.10 a day for 500 MB (see my review). |
| Want unlimited data for longer than 15 days | Yesim | Nomad’s unlimited plans stop at 15 days. Yesim’s 30-day unlimited pass costs $2.52 per day (see my review). |
| Need to share data with a laptop or a travel partner | Trip.com or Yesim | Nomad’s hotspot connected but was only fast enough for web pages. Both of these handled it well in my tests. |
Microsoft Copilot didn’t open on Nomad or on any other eSIM I tested, so if you rely on it, you’ll need a VPN (here’s what they cost).
Comparing head to head? See Nomad vs Yesim and Airalo vs Nomad.
What's good
- Data exits through Hong Kong, so Google Maps, WhatsApp, Instagram and ChatGPT work without a VPN
- Fast on 5G: 68.2 Mbps down and 38.4 Mbps up at Shanghai Hongqiao Airport
- Flexible fixed-data plans from 1 GB to 50 GB, including 20 GB / 30 days for $22 on sale (checked 8 November 2026)
- Running low? You can buy an add-on even from inside China, as long as your plan is still active
What's not
- TikTok and Microsoft Copilot didn't load without a VPN in my tests
- Hotspot connected but was very slow — only good enough for web pages on the second device
- Unlimited plans slow down after 2GB a day, and the longest is 15 days — for a month, you'd buy the 20GB or 50GB plan
- You can't buy a new plan once you're in mainland China, and a fixed plan can't be topped up after its data runs out
Frequently asked questions
Does Nomad work in China?
Yes. I tested Nomad in Shanghai at Hongqiao Airport and in a hotel, measuring 15.5–68.2 Mbps downloads on 4G/5G. That was enough for maps, messaging, browsing and everyday video streaming; large uploads could take longer. Nomad's China plans use China Unicom and China Telecom.
Do I need a VPN with Nomad in China?
For most apps, no. Nomad routes your data out through Hong Kong, so Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook and ChatGPT all loaded without a VPN in my tests. Two apps didn't: TikTok and Microsoft Copilot. If you rely on either, you'll still need a VPN — here's what they cost.
Does TikTok work with Nomad in China?
Not in my tests. TikTok didn't load on Nomad in Shanghai, even though Google, Instagram and WhatsApp did. If TikTok matters to you, Yesim and Trip.com both opened it in my tests.
Is Nomad's unlimited China plan really unlimited?
Not quite. Unlimited gives you 2GB of high-speed data per day, then reduced speeds until the next 24-hour cycle. Nomad's help center describes about 1 Mbps, while its fair-use policy lists 512 kbps. That's adequate for basic maps and messages, but not reliable for video after the cap. The longest plan is 15 days. Compare Nomad Unlimited plans in the shop.
What happens when my Nomad data runs out?
On a fixed-data plan, mobile data stops once the allowance is used up, and Nomad can't add more data to an eSIM that has run out. So buy an add-on while you still have some data left — Nomad sends low-data alerts, and the add-on starts automatically when your current plan ends.
Can I buy or top up Nomad after I land in China?
You can't buy a new plan once you're in mainland China — Nomad says local rules block it — so buy and install your eSIM before you fly. If your Nomad China eSIM is already active, you can still buy an add-on in China, as long as the plan hasn't expired and still has data left.
Does Nomad's hotspot work in China?
It connects, but it was very slow in my tests in China — only good enough for browsing web pages on the second device. If you need to share data with a laptop or a travel partner, Trip.com and Yesim both handled the hotspot well in my tests.
Can I get a refund on a Nomad eSIM?
You can request a refund within 30 days of purchase. Unused or unactivated fixed-data plans may qualify for a full refund; contact Nomad support to confirm. Unlimited plans follow separate terms in each plan's details. Plans bought with a discount code are non-refundable once installed or activated.
Does Nomad's China plan work in Hong Kong, Macau or Taiwan?
No. For mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, Nomad offers the Greater China plan.
Is there a Nomad eSIM for China, Japan and South Korea?
Yes. Nomad's China–Japan–South Korea plan covers mainland China, Japan and South Korea.
Does Nomad give you a Chinese phone number?
No. Nomad's China plans are data-only and do not include a Chinese phone number, carrier voice calls or SMS. You can still make internet calls through apps such as WhatsApp using the eSIM's data.
Does Nomad work with WhatsApp, Google Maps and ChatGPT in China?
Yes. WhatsApp, Google Maps and ChatGPT worked on Nomad's China eSIM in my Shanghai app checks without a separate VPN. Google Maps was part of the Google checks. TikTok and Microsoft Copilot did not work in my tests; the reviewed China results do not establish every regional package or feature.